1886 45/70 factory loads

[1961MJS]

Hi

I just picked up an 1886 Chiappa Fancy Stocked Rifle in .45/70.  I picked up a box of 1300 fps rounds.  The other factory rounds at Cabelas were above 1800.  What factory rounds are used in a Winchester (or clone) .45/70 lever action?  Most seemed to be a bit higher than the 1886 reloading manual velocities.

Thanks

Mike

[Coal Creek Griff]

Virtually all commercially available ammunition is appropriate for your new rifle.  There are a few small companies that produce +P dangerous game ammunition designed for very strong actions.  While your rifle may be able to handle that ammo, I would avoid it--it's rather expensive and it will certainly hurt your shoulder.  The 1886 is one of my favorite rifles, but I generally load low- to mid-range ammo for it; it's more fun that way.

I hope that helps.

CC Griff

[larryo1]

I can't help myself!  I got my first '86 back in 1968.  It is a 45-90.  The load that I use and have used literally since I got the rifle is 58 grains of 3031 under a jacketed 300 grain hollow point.  Over the years, I have never changed to any other loading.  Needless to say, that rifle has got me alot of deer and a few elk.  Even tho that rifle is a pre-1900 vintage, it has been and still is tite!  My son has that rifle now as I am too old to do any hunting anymore and those hills are now too damn steep. I can't say where or who from I got that load as there has been too much water under the bridge for me to remember but if you want a good "Game Getter", that is a great load to use. It does back up a mite!

[Advertising]

[Trailrider]

With modern, slow-burning powders and light (300 gr) bullets, 1800-1900 ft./sec. is just fine for your modern-made '86.  Although I would prefer to load somewhat lighter in an original '86, and would limit the use of jacketed bullets in older, soft-steel barrels just to limit barrel wear, the original '86 is a pretty strong rifle. Of course, stick with the loads shown in the published manuals. The last run of original '86's, with nickel-steel barrels were chambered for .33 WCF, which could send a 200 gr. jacketed FSP bullet at around 2200 ft/sec.  I can tell you that round can do a number on European wild boar down to Tennessee!  Unfortunately, Hornady discontinued the JFSP bullet some years ago.

[1961MJS]

Thanks Gentlemen

I found several loads that were in the 2200 range at Cabela's and that's over and above whats in the 49th Lyman's manual, I plan on reloading for this one, but wanted to get the sights on.  Right now they're HIGH.

Later

[Gabriel Law]

"right now they're HIGH!!!"  That's very strange.  My Browning 1886 shoots very LOW at 100 meters with the elevator slide down at the lowest setting.  I have to push it up into the forth notch to print to the sights at 100 with a 420 gr. bullet and a decent load.  I'm in the process of making myself a new front sight that will basically be right down on the barrel, so I can use the rear sight at it's lowest setting for 100 meters.

[1961MJS]

Hi

I need to go shoot a bit more.  I'm shooting 1300 fps loads and it's not going great so far.  I'm working up brass, so I can start load development.

Later

[Coal Creek Griff]

What is not going well for you? Accuracy?  Recoil?  Functioning?

CC Griff

[1961MJS]

High

Well, Hi first, but my first ten rounds were really high and I haven't been back to the range yet.  I was using the 49th Lyman's reloading manual to work out a load to buy, but there wasn't much in THAT range at Cabela's or Bass Pro in OKC.  Recoil is manageable, functioning is great, especially after reading some of the sections on smoothing the 1886 actions.  I can't hit much, but I was at the range ONCE, using small targets (I have poster board now), and the target backers at OKCGC benchrest are much larger horizontally than vertically.  Problem was a bit over stated, but I can't hit the 200 yard gong at the gun club yet either.

Thanks

[Coal Creek Griff]

I'm not familiar with the Chiappa version of the 1886, but with some of my other rifles, I've had to install a taller front sight. Once you're on paper, you'll be able to see what kind of accuracy you're getting, which will help with your decision.

CC Griff